An in vitro approach to study effects of prebiotics and probiotics on the faecal microbiota and selected immune parameters relevant to the elderly

The aging process leads to alterations of gut microbiota and modifications to the immune response, such changes may be associated with increased disease risk. Prebiotics and probiotics can modulate microbiome changes induced by aging; however, their effects have not been directly compared. The aim of this study was to use anaerobic batch culture fermenters to assess the impact of various fermentable carbohydrates and microorganisms on the gut microbiota and selected immune markers. Elderly volunteers were used as donors for these experiments to enable relevance to an aging population. The impact of fermentation supernatants on immune markers relevant to the elderly were assessed in vitro. Levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and TNF-α in peripheral blood mononuclear cell culture supernatants were measured using flow cytometry. Trans-galactooligosaccharides (B-GOS) and inulin both stimulated bifidobacteria compared to other treatments (p<0.05). Fermentation supernatants taken from faecal batch cultures supplemented with B-GOS, inulin, B. bifidum, L. acidophilus and Ba. coagulans inhibited LPS induced TNF-α (p<0.05). IL-10 production, induced by LPS, was enhanced by fermentation supernatants from faecal batch cultures supplemented with B-GOS, inulin, B. bifidum, L. acidophilus, Ba. coagulans and Bac. thetaiotaomicron (p<0.05). To conclude, prebiotics and probiotics could lead to potentially beneficial effects to host health by targeting specific bacterial groups, increasing saccharolytic fermentation and decreasing inflammation associated with aging. Compared to probiotics, prebiotics led to greater microbiota modulation at the genus level within the fermenters

High Intensity Interval Training Leads to Greater Improvements in Acute Heart Rate Recovery and Anaerobic Power as High Volume Low Intensity Training

The purpose of the current study was to explore if training regimes utilizing diverse training intensity distributions result in different responses on neuromuscular status, anaerobic capacity/power and acute heart rate recovery (HRR) in well-trained endurance athletes.Methods: Thirty-six male (n = 33) and female (n = 3) runners, cyclists, triathletes and cross-country skiers [peak oxygen uptake: (VO2peak): 61.9 ± 8.0 mL·kg−1·min−1] were randomly assigned to one of three groups (blocked high intensity interval training HIIT; polarized training POL; high volume low intensity oriented control group CG/HVLIT applying no HIIT). A maximal anaerobic running/cycling test (MART/MACT) was performed prior to and following a 9-week training period.Results: Only the HIIT group achieved improvements in peak power/velocity (+6.4%, P &lt; 0.001) and peak lactate (P = 0.001) during the MART/MACT, while, unexpectedly, in none of the groups the performance at the established lactate concentrations (4, 6, 10 mmol·L−1) was changed (P &gt; 0.05). Acute HRR was improved in HIIT (11.2%, P = 0.002) and POL (7.9%, P = 0.023) with no change in the HVLIT oriented control group.Conclusion: Only a training regime that includes a significant amount of HIIT improves the neuromuscular status, anaerobic power and the acute HRR in well-trained endurance athletes. A training regime that followed more a low and moderate intensity oriented model (CG/HVLIT) had no effect on any performance or HRR outcomes

Metabolic and Cardiovascular Responses During Variable Intensity Exercise

Previous research investigating endurance sports from a physiological perspectivehas mainly used constant or graded exercise protocols, although the nature ofsports like cross-country skiing and road cycling leads to continuous variations inworkload. Current knowledge is thus limited as regards physiological responses tovariations in exercise intensity. Therefore, the overall objective of the present thesiswas to investigate cardiovascular and metabolic responses to fluctuations inexercise intensity during exercise. The thesis is based on four studies (Studies I-IV);the first two studies use a variable intensity protocol with cardiorespiratory andblood measurements during cycling (Study I) and diagonal skiing (Study II). InStudy III one-legged exercise was used to investigate muscle blood flow duringvariable intensity exercise using PET scanning, and Study IV was performed toinvestigate the transition from high to low exercise intensity in diagonal skiing,with both physiological and biomechanical measurements. The current thesisdemonstrates that the reduction in blood lactate concentration after high-intensityworkloads is an important performance characteristic of prolonged variableintensity exercise while cycling and diagonal skiing (Studies I-II). Furthermore,during diagonal skiing, superior blood lactate recovery was associated with a highaerobic power (VO2max) (Study II). Respiratory variables such as VE/VO2, VE/VCO2and RER recovered independently of VO2max and did not reflect the blood lactate oracid base levels during variable intensity exercise during either cycling or diagonalskiing (Studies I-II). There was an upward drift in HR over time, but not inpulmonary VO2, with variable intensity exercise during both prolonged cyclingand diagonal skiing. As a result, the linear HR-VO2 relationship that wasestablished with a graded protocol was not present during variable intensityexercise (Studies I-II). In Study III, blood flow heterogeneity during one-leggedexercise increased when the exercise intensity decreased, but remained unchangedbetween the high intensity workloads. Furthermore, there was an excessiveincrease in muscular VO2 in the consecutive high-intensity workloads, mainlyexplained by increased O2 extraction, as O2 delivery and blood flow remainedunchanged. In diagonal skiing (Study IV) the arms had a lower O2 extraction thanthe legs, which could partly be explained by their longer contact phase along withmuch higher muscle activation. Furthermore, in Study IV, the O2 extraction in botharms and legs was at the upper limit during the high intensity workload with nofurther margin for increase. This could explain why no excessive increase inpulmonary VO2 occurred during diagonal skiing (Study II), as increased O2extraction is suggested to be the main reason for this excessive increase in VO2(Study III)

Metabolic and Cardiovascular Responses During Variable Intensity Exercise

Previous research investigating endurance sports from a physiological perspectivehas mainly used constant or graded exercise protocols, although the nature ofsports like cross-country skiing and road cycling leads to continuous variations inworkload. Current knowledge is thus limited as regards physiological responses tovariations in exercise intensity. Therefore, the overall objective of the present thesiswas to investigate cardiovascular and metabolic responses to fluctuations inexercise intensity during exercise. The thesis is based on four studies (Studies I-IV);the first two studies use a variable intensity protocol with cardiorespiratory andblood measurements during cycling (Study I) and diagonal skiing (Study II). InStudy III one-legged exercise was used to investigate muscle blood flow duringvariable intensity exercise using PET scanning, and Study IV was performed toinvestigate the transition from high to low exercise intensity in diagonal skiing,with both physiological and biomechanical measurements. The current thesisdemonstrates that the reduction in blood lactate concentration after high-intensityworkloads is an important performance characteristic of prolonged variableintensity exercise while cycling and diagonal skiing (Studies I-II). Furthermore,during diagonal skiing, superior blood lactate recovery was associated with a highaerobic power (VO2max) (Study II). Respiratory variables such as VE/VO2, VE/VCO2and RER recovered independently of VO2max and did not reflect the blood lactate oracid base levels during variable intensity exercise during either cycling or diagonalskiing (Studies I-II). There was an upward drift in HR over time, but not inpulmonary VO2, with variable intensity exercise during both prolonged cyclingand diagonal skiing. As a result, the linear HR-VO2 relationship that wasestablished with a graded protocol was not present during variable intensityexercise (Studies I-II). In Study III, blood flow heterogeneity during one-leggedexercise increased when the exercise intensity decreased, but remained unchangedbetween the high intensity workloads. Furthermore, there was an excessiveincrease in muscular VO2 in the consecutive high-intensity workloads, mainlyexplained by increased O2 extraction, as O2 delivery and blood flow remainedunchanged. In diagonal skiing (Study IV) the arms had a lower O2 extraction thanthe legs, which could partly be explained by their longer contact phase along withmuch higher muscle activation. Furthermore, in Study IV, the O2 extraction in botharms and legs was at the upper limit during the high intensity workload with nofurther margin for increase. This could explain why no excessive increase inpulmonary VO2 occurred during diagonal skiing (Study II), as increased O2extraction is suggested to be the main reason for this excessive increase in VO2(Study III)

What Magnitude of Force is a Slopestyle Skier Exposed to When Landing a Big Air Jump?

The purpose of this study was to investigate the magnitude of force a slopestyle skier is exposed to when landing either forward or switch in a big air jump. Ten male freeskiers (age 23 ± 6 years; height 179.2 ± 5.4 cm; body mass 72.5 ± 8.6 kg; mass of equipment 16.7 ± 1.4 kg; total mass 89.2 ± 8.6 kg) participated and each performed five 180 jumps and five switch 180 jumps in a randomized order. Forces were quantified using pressure insoles. The results showed a force of 1446 ± 367 N (2.04 ± 0.46 times body mass) for the 180 jump and a force of 1409 ± 257 N (1.99 ± 0.28 times body mass) for the switch 180 jump. There was no difference in force between the 180 jump and the switch 180 jump, p=0.582. There was a trend for the switch 180 for a correlation between a heavier body mass and a greater force (r = 0.604, r2 = 0.365, p = 0.064) as well as a heavier total mass and a greater force (r = 0.621, r2 = 0.385, p = 0.055). This study shows that the force when landing a big air jump is roughly twice the slopestyle skier’s body mass, but no difference in force was seen between performing a 180 or a switch 180 jump. The force of twice the body mass could therefore be considered a minimum value for slopestyle skiing

High intensity interval training leads to greater improvements in acute heart rate recovery and anaerobic power as high volume low intensity training

The purpose of the current study was to explore if training regimes utilizing diverse training intensity distributions result in different responses on neuromuscular status, anaerobic capacity/power and acute heart rate recovery (HRR) in well-trained endurance athletes. Methods: Thirty-six male (n = 33) and female (n = 3) runners, cyclists, triathletes and cross-country skiers [peak oxygen uptake: (VO2peak): 61.9 ± 8.0 mL·kg−1·min−1] were randomly assigned to one of three groups (blocked high intensity interval training HIIT; polarized training POL; high volume low intensity oriented control group CG/HVLIT applying no HIIT). A maximal anaerobic running/cycling test (MART/MACT) was performed prior to and following a 9-week training period. Results: Only the HIIT group achieved improvements in peak power/velocity (+6.4%, P &lt; 0.001) and peak lactate (P = 0.001) during the MART/MACT, while, unexpectedly, in none of the groups the performance at the established lactate concentrations (4, 6, 10 mmol·L−1) was changed (P &gt; 0.05). Acute HRR was improved in HIIT (11.2%, P = 0.002) and POL (7.9%, P = 0.023) with no change in the HVLIT oriented control group. Conclusion: Only a training regime that includes a significant amount of HIIT improves the neuromuscular status, anaerobic power and the acute HRR in well-trained endurance athletes. A training regime that followed more a low and moderate intensity oriented model (CG/HVLIT) had no effect on any performance or HRR outcomes

How Does the Starting Order in the First and Second Run Affect the Final Rank in the FIS World Cup Giant Slalom?

The aim of this study was to determine the impact of runs 1 and 2 on overall rank in Giant Slalom. Data from 15 seasons (2005/2006–2019/2020) including and unique starts for women (n = 2,294) and men (n = 2,328) were analyzed. Skiers were grouped based on final ranks 1–3 (G3), 4–10 (G10), and 11–20 (G20) and separately analyzed for women and men. A Wilcoxon-signed rank test was used for comparisons between runs 1 and 2, while a multi-nominal logistic regression was used to identify odds ratios (OR) associated with group rank. Women had similar run times for runs 1 and 2 (p = 0.734), while men had faster times on run 2 (p &lt; 0.001). The strongest association to G3 was during run 1 for run time (men: OR 1.06–1.12; women: OR 1.06–1.11, all p &lt; 0.01) and gate-to-gate times (men: OR 33–475; women: OR 81–2,301, all p &lt; 0.001). Overall, this study demonstrates the importance of a fast first run for improving the final ranking group and the need to increase the tempo going from the first to the second run for men. Copyright © 2022 Björklund and Swarén

Workplace Health Interventions and Physical Fitness Status among Managers of Small-Scale Enterprises in Norway and Sweden

Background : The ability of managers of small-scale enterprises (SSEs) to prioritize health, working conditions, and their own physical fitness is an important issue for workplace health promotion in Norway and Sweden, where most owner-manager positions are in SSEs. Aim : To assess the physical fitness status of SSE managers compared to a norm population and to study changes in physical fitness status, self-reported physical activity, and sickness outcomes after workplace health interventions. Methods : The study allocated SSE managers to either an intervention or a reference group. The intervention, over twelve months, consisted of motivational input related to lifestyle and physical activity through tests and feedback, individual support, and courses on health and psychosocial working conditions. The participants (N = 28) completed health screening checks, questionnaires and testing before and after the intervention. Results : SSE managers in the study had positive outcomes for BMI levels and strength compared to the norm population, while percentage of fat for both men and women indicated poor results. There were no further improvements in the intervention group after comparison with the reference group. Separately, both groups seemed to improve strength and body composition. Conclusion : Workplace health interventions with essentially motivational components may increase SSE managers’ attention to physical fitness, but appear to have limited effects on objective and subjective physical fitness outcomes.Modeller för företagshälsovård i mikroföreta

Runners adapt different lower-limb movement patterns with respect to different speeds and downhill slopes

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of slope and speed on lower-limb kinematics and energy cost of running. Six well-trained runners (VO2max 72 ± 6 mL·kg−1·min−1) were recruited for the study and performed (1) VO2max and energy cost tests and (2) an experimental running protocol at two speeds, 12 km·h−1 and a speed corresponding to 80% of VO2max (V80, 15.8 ± 1.3 km·h−1) on three different slopes (0°, −5°, and −10°), totaling six 5-min workload conditions. The workload conditions were randomly ordered and performed continuously. The tests lasted 30 min in total. All testing was performed on a large treadmill (3 × 5 m) that offered control over both speed and slope. Three-dimensional kinematic data of the right lower limb were captured during the experimental running protocol using eight infrared cameras with a sampling frequency of 150 Hz. Running kinematics were calculated using a lower body model and inverse kinematics approach. The generic model contained three, one, and two degrees of freedom at the hip, knee, and ankle joints, respectively. Oxygen uptake was measured throughout the experimental protocol. Maximum hip extension and flexion during the stance phase increased due to higher speed (p &lt; 0.01 and p &lt; 0.01, respectively). Knee extension at the touchdown and maximal knee flexion in the stance phase both increased on steeper downhill slopes (both p &lt; 0.05). Ground contact time (GCT) decreased as the speed increased (p &lt; 0.01) but was unaffected by slope (p = 0.73). Runners modified their hip movement pattern in the sagittal plane in response to changes in speed, whereas they altered their knee movement pattern during the touchdown and stance phases in response to changes in slope. While energy cost of running was unaffected by speed alone (p = 0.379), a shift in energy cost was observed for different speeds as the downhill gradient increased (p &lt; 0.001). Energy cost was lower at V80 than 12 km·h−1 on a −5° slope but worse on a −10° slope. This indicates that higher speeds are more efficient on moderate downhill slopes (−5°), while lower speeds are more efficient on steeper downhill slopes (−10°)

Impact on Ski Regulation Changes on Race and Gate-To-Gate Times in World Cup Giant Slalom Skiing 2005-2020

The International Ski Federation (FIS) implemented new ski regulation prior to the 2012/2013 season for men and women and for the men again prior to the 2017/2018 season in an effort to increase skiers’ safety in the Giant Slalom (GS) event in the Alpine World Cup (WC). At present, no study has investigated how these changes impacted total race times, gate-to-gate times or number of gates per race. Hence, the purpose of this study was to investigate how the regulation changes have affected these parameters. Data were collected from the official result lists, by the FIS, for the GS event during 15 WC seasons (2005/2006-2019/2020), for men and women, respectively and grouped into Rule 1 (2005/2006-2011/2012), Rule 2 (2012/2013-2016/2017) and Rule 3 (2017/2018-2019/2020). Differences (for total race time, gate-to-gate times and number of gates) between rules were analyzed using Mann-Whitney tests and Kruskal-Wallis rank sum tests for women and men, respectively. For male skiers, the race time during Rule 2 was 152.51 (138.72-157.55) s, which was significantly slower (p &lt; 0.01) than Rule 1, 147.42 (143.13-154.26) s and to Rule 3, 149.37 (135.63-158.32) s (p&lt;0.05). For women, race times during Rule 1 was significant slower (p&lt;0.001, r=0.23, df =455, U=939852.5, z = 12.079) than Rule 2, 141.3 (132.71-148.78) s vs. 137.12 (125.05-146.78) s. The men’s gate-to-gate times increased for Rule 2 compared to Rule 3, 1.49 (1.45-1.55) s vs. 1.48 (1.45-1.52) s, p&lt;0.05), whereas the women’s gate-to-gate times decreased for Rule 2 compared to Rule 1, 1.53 (1.48-1.57) s, vs 1.57 (1.52-1.62) s, p&lt;0.001. Changing the ski equipment regulations affected men and women differently as well the course setting and should not be considered as the sole effort to reduce skiing speed and risk of injury in GS in the alpine WC